Villanova Film Room: 3-3-5 Gives and Takes Away Versus William & Mary

Villanova Football blew a 10-point lead with less than a minute to play in their season opening 35-32 loss to William & Mary. The Wildcats gave up an onside kick and a deep ball touchdown on third-and-8 as the Tribe tied the game, then quarterback Pat McQuaide threw a back-breaking interception in the waning seconds — either not seeing William & Mary cornerback Cade Ellis lurking underneath, or not putting enough mustard on the throw to link up with Braden Reed on the sideline. The pick set up the game-clinching field goal.

Villanova’s 3-3-5 defense keeps the offense guessing, giving the Wildcats the flexibility to deploy exotic coverages and blitzes from the same base front. The 3-3-5 helps level the playing field against larger opponents but, like any defensive scheme, it has its fair share of weaknesses.

Outside runs are one: if the Wildcats aren’t able to set the edge, they’re liable to consistent gains around the end. Tribe quarterback Winston Watkins’ legs exacerbated that issue beginning on William & Mary’s second play from scrimmage. Even when Watkins wasn’t able to turn upfield, his mobility kept Villanova honest, giving him enough time to find an open man. 

That’s not to say that Watkins gashed the Wildcats. When they got pressure with three or four men, Villanova had a field day, amassing 12 tackles for loss and three sacks. 

Finding Openings

William & Mary also used swing passes and other short throws to the sideline as an extension of the running game, stretching out the Wildcats’ defense and forcing them to make tackles.

Playing to the sidelines instead of going north to south helped Villanova make a goal line stand in the second quarter, but the Tribe also managed to get the requisite yardage on just enough third downs. Third-and-long plagued the Wildcats in particular, but the promising news is that William & Mary wasn’t able to pick on a specific defensive back throughout. Brenden Toppin gave up a deep ball on third-and-6, Amari Jackson fell prey to a well-executed back shoulder throw on third-and-12, while Mikey Allen and Josh Oluremi each gave up a touchdown via deep shot.

Villanova’s pass defense struggled mightily early last season as a new-look secondary learned how to play together and combat opposing receivers. A similar thing could happen this season as they cut down on blown coverages and biting on double moves: while William & Mary did an excellent job of attacking the 3-3-5, the Wildcats made their tackles… many of them in the backfield. Four turnovers, a flurry of penalties and — perhaps most egregious — an onside kick conversion helped do them in, and there isn’t any reason to press the panic button yet.